Alternatives to PowerPoint

Microsoft PowerPoint may be the most widely used presentation software, but it has received a lot of criticism over the years and when used poorly can have devastating effects. Many alternatives have arisen, both methods and applications. Here are a few.

Alternative Approaches

Presentation Zen

  • Single image per slide with little to no text

The Lessig Method

  • Lots of slides, synchronized with speech, blank backgrounds, few words, advanced very quickly, perhaps one second per slide, text repeats spoken word

Pecha-Kucha

  • “Pech-ATCH-ka” (Japanese for “chit-chat”)
  • 20 images for 20 seconds each

Ignite

  • 5 minute presentations using 20 slides that auto-advance every 15 seconds
  • “Enlighten us, but make it quick!”

Storytelling

  • Using slides as illustrations for an orally related story

Collaborative Presentation

  • Using prepared content in a collaborative presentation tool, allowing the audience to participate in revising the content

Alternative Applications

Animoto.com

  • Dynamic video from your static images and music

Apple Keynote

  • Part of the Apple iWork Suite
  • (For Mac users only)

Canva’s Presentation Templates

  • Design presentations, social media graphics, and more with lots of beautiful layouts.

Google Slides

  • Part of our OWU Bishop Apps
  • Can be used as traditional slideware or used collaboratively

OpenOffice.org Impress

  • Part of the OpenOffice.org Suite
  • Available for PC and Mac, and comes with most Linux distributions
  • And it’s free!

Prezi.com

  • Zooming presentation software using a broad canvas instead of slides

 

Related Pages

Microsoft Office

BishopApps